This is Where You Need to Eat During the London Film Festival

As the London Film Festival opens, romantic comedy screenwriter and movie obsessive Tess Morris tells us where she hangs out between screenings—spots that include Curzon Soho, Tokyo Diner, and Bills on Brewer among others.

Romantic comedy screenwriter and London native Tess Morris loves London as much as she loves movies—so naturally, the London Film Festival, which opens today, is her favorite time of year. “I watch up to five movies a day—everything from starry blockbusters to completely mental foreign horror films,” she admitted.

Though its headline movies— including Gravity, Saving Mr. Banks and Labor Day—are all must-sees, the London Film Festival isn’t just about films. The lively event is also about hanging out, refueling, hobnobbing, and, in Morris’s case, arguing with your friends over vodka tonics about the movie you’ve just seen. Here’s where she recommends doing it.

Curzon Soho “This cinema is my hands-down favorite place to have a quick sandwich or a massive piece of cake during LFF. It’s a real filmmaker hangout—laptops open, coffee, lively chat—there’s a very comfy café and a bar downstairs."

Tokyo Diner “This is one of the few places you can get a good, quick bowl of noodles in the center of London that isn’t really expensive or rammed with tourists. I usually have edamame and Pad Thai with an Asahi beer.”

Bills on Brewer “The Soho Bills is a great place for a big old lunch with a group of friends—there are long tables and they don’t rush you out—it’s really relaxed and not too pricey. I order the burger, medium rare, and a pot of chips, and then have the amazing lemon cheesecake—it’s served in a glass with whipped meringue and I always feel a bit sick afterwards but never regret it.”

**Brasserie Zédel **“I come here for pre-movie cocktails and post-movie dinners—there’s a massive café upstairs and a huge ballroom bar and restaurant downstairs—I’m always incredulous that a room this big exists just off Piccadilly. The menu is small and French; they do an ace steak frites.”

Benito's Hat “I always over-order here: The burritos are so fat it’s like eating a baby. I have a vegetarian one: Veg, guac, sour cream, cheese and a beer on the side—eat half and sneak the other half into the movie.”

Soho Square and Golden Square “These are the places to go for a bit of bench action, notepad writing and people-watching. Both squares recently got ping-pong tables so you can have an impromptu game, too—I love watching people getting competitive and pretending not to be. The Nordic cafe on Golden Square is my go-to for coffee around here.”

Bob Bob Ricard “I go to Bob Bob for a well earned cocktail after a day’s movie watching. It’s old school and quite decadent, with little booths and a ‘press for Champagne’ button upstairs; they make a top vodka tonic and I like their mojitos, too.”

The Toucan “Central London pubs can be a bit touristy and bland, but this one’s great: It’s a fun Soho media haunt, full of Guinness-drinking media types—it’s famous for pouring the perfect pint.”

Gordon's Wine Bar “Just by Embankment tube, this cozy cellar is the oldest wine bar in London, and it’s perfect for a wintry glass of wine (and a whine about the last film you saw). It attracts an interesting mix of people, and you can sit outside under heaters before hopping on Bakerloo or District Line home.”